How to Choose the Best Wine
By Rajat Singh

There is no fixed answer as to what can be called the best wine. What can be classified to be the best? Although, the sheer variety of wines makes it such an amazing drink, the question of choosing the better or designating one superior over the other crops up every now and then.

Those keen to know the answer, luckily there are a set of guidelines, which are set for a wine to qualify as quality wine. The quality of wine is measured in four essential qualities namely- appearance, fragrance, sensation and finish. A wine that looks more presentable has a pleasing effect. Which is savoury gives a lasting thought.

When it comes to red wine, it is important to keep in mind the serving temperatures. If we serve the wine too cold, it will start tasting astringent and if it is anywhere above the serving temperature, the taste of alcohol in the wine would take over. Keeping this in mind, the ideal temperature is said to be between 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit.

A wine looks its best colour when set against a white background. Pairing of wine with the right kind of food is very important. But it is a misconception that wines cannot be mixed and matched with different food. It is all a matter of the palate and flavour interaction. While some wines accentuate some flavours, others can actually do the exact opposite. It is a matter of your sensory organs coming to your rescue here. While doing so, we should also consider that if the wine is heavy or light. More often than not, full bodied wines are served with heavy food.

A wine maker has all the say in how he wants his wine to end up like. This he does by altering some factors here and there. The tannin content in wines would define if the wine is light-bodied, medium or heavy bodied. Generally categorised as full bodied wine, the top Red wines include - Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Chianti, Barolo, Barberesco, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Malbec, Grenache, and Bordeaux. Cherry, plum, black berry and currant are common flavour descriptors for red wine. The method, if to describe, would require a whole new internet database, so we better leave it with the wine maker.

White wine is generally a sparkling yellow or light golden in colour. The most famous white wine is the American Chardonnay, which is made from the chardonnay grape of France, but is grown in California as well. When served along with grilled Barbeque, it changes the approach dramatically. Although, red wine is the dominant wine, white wine is catching up with it. Today more and more varieties of grapes besides chardonnay are coming up. Sauvignon Blanc is pungent and tingles you with aromas that range between grassy, peppery and fruity (citrus, gooseberry). This grape in New Zealand can take a variety of forms making it one of the most desired. People who are inclined only towards red wine are restricting themselves to lesser variety and change.

Rahul Kumar is associated with Thewinesocietyofindia.com The Wine Society of India is one the largest wine portal for branded wines in India. Wine Society offer online shopping for branded wine gifts with exceptional quality wine, fine wines, red wines and much more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rajat_Singh
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Choose-the-Best-Wine&id=1481008